PAST pRESIDENT | ALISON BECKER, MHS, PA-C

Ali grew up in the lakes area of Minnesota. She attended Concordia College in Moorhead, MN with a degree in Food, Nutrition and   Dietetics. She went on to become a board certified dietitian. She then attended PA school at Quinnipiac University graduating in 2004.  Ali practiced 15 years in Neonatology before following her passion of care coordination of complex kids. She now serves patients in   Pediatric Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine at Sanford Health Medical Center in Fargo, ND. Ali is also part of the Sanford   Coordinated Treatment Clinic serving children throughout North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota with Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury and myelodysplasia. She is a member of the North Dakota Academy of PAs.

James is a clinical faculty member at Campbell University, where he teaches in the PA program and supports student development through clinical education, mentorship, and interprofessional initiatives. He practices part-time in rural pediatric primary care at a federally qualified health center (FQHC) and has a special interest in preceptor support and pediatric clinical training. A graduate of NC State, he completed Campbell’s dual MSPH/MPAP program and earned a Master of Health Professions Education in 2024. He lives in North Carolina with his wife and four children and enjoys riding motorcycles, playing hockey, and serving at his church.

TREASURER | 

Mayra  attended the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) where she received a   Bachelor’s of Science with a major in Biology and Math with a minor in Chemistry. She then received a Master’s of Science in   Mathematical Sciences and a Master’s of Science in Physician Assistant Studies. She continued her studies and received a Doctorate of   Science in Physician Assistant Studies from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacology and Health Sciences (MCPHS). Her dissertation was focused on pediatric obesity in the Rio Grande Valley. She also has a background in teaching and taught at the   Mathematics   department at UTRGV as well as high school science. She has been practicing medicine with a focus on rural medicine,   family medicine,   and pediatrics. She was the first elected President-Elect of the Rio Grande Valley PA Society. She is also a part of   several committees of   TAPA and a member of AAPA.

secretary | Meredith Alley, MMS, PA-C

Meredith grew up in Texas, attended undergrad at UNC Chapel Hill and then attended PA school at Arcadia University, in the suburbs of Philadelphia.  She was the first physician assistant in pediatric urology at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, where she worked for 17 years. Meredith enjoys teaching and was faculty at Thomas Jefferson's PA Program for 4 years. She currently works in the GI Endoscopy Suite at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and enjoys guest lecturing at PA Programs. 

MEMBER AT LARGE | AMY BARRETT, MSPAS, PA-C, CLC

Amy was born and raised in Northeast Pennsylvania. She attended King’s College and received her Master of Science in Phyisician   Assistant Studies in 2006 with a minor in health care administration. She has been practicing in Outpatient General Pediatrics for the   past 18 years with Geisinger Health System in Pottsville, PA. Her special interests include breastfeeding, child safety, and teaching   students. She is also a Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) and holds her National Child Passenger Safety Certification in efforts to   better help her patients. Amy also is a National Affliliate with the American Academy of Pediatrics AAP and a Fellow with the   Pennsylvania Society of Physician Assistants (PSPA), where she serves as a regional representative. She currently lives in Barnesville,   PA with her husband and 2 boys.

MEMBER AT LARGE | KENYA SAMUELS, MPAS, PA-C

Kenya Samuels is an Associate Professor in the Physician Assistant Studies Program at the University of North Texas Health Science Center (HSC) in Fort Worth, Texas. A 2008 graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham Physician Assistant Program, she brings extensive clinical experience in pediatric critical care, pediatric urgent care, and family medicine. At HSC, she teaches courses in pediatrics and physical examination skills, mentors students, and serves in key leadership roles on various committees. Ms. Samuels is deeply committed to both patient care and healthcare education, combining her clinical knowledge with a passion for teaching and mentorship. She actively contributes to the profession through service, research, scholarly presentations, and publications. Outside of her professional work, she enjoys spending time with her son and pet, maintaining a balanced and fulfilling life.

MEMBER AT LARGE | CHARLOTTE YOUNG, mpas, pa-c

Charlotte graduated from The University of Colorado Child Health Associate/Physician Assistant Program in 2022. She has a strong passion for pediatric care and currently works in the division of pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology, and nutrition at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia. She is also involved in the CHOA professional development committee, helping to provide resources and organize events for the professional advancement of advanced practice providers in her organization. Charlotte is also a member of the Georgia Association of Physician Assistants (GAPA) and the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) and enjoys serving as a mentor to pre-PA students through these organizations. Her growing professional interests include childhood nutrition and feeding therapy.